choosing to smile

 Tuesday, December 17, 2024 (4:34 a.m.)

Thank You, Lord.

I wasn’t going to say it. I had all the reasons lined up. Tired. Grumpy. Change 'Tired' to Sleepy and I already have two of the seven dwarfs. See what I mean? Thank You Lord!

I get to be playful. Make that Happy and we’re three for seven!

You allow me this. I don’t have to be austere [severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance]. I can choose to be friendly. Easygoing. Approachable. Good-natured.

Thank You that You provide us these choices. Speaking to Your people through Moses all those years ago. “Today I give you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Because of You. Your love. Your Truth. Your promises. I get to choose to smile.

Yes. I still feel scared. Unsure. Shaky. Indecisive. Out of my depth.

That is EXACTLY the phrase! I’ve been saying “in over my head.” Look at the meaning for feeling out of one’s depth: “not having the knowledge, experience, or skills to deal with a particular subject or situation.” Ta-Da! That’s ME! Right there in the Cambridge Dictionary.

Thank You Father. You had an application (Psalm 130) for the depths of despair long before the internet ever came into being. We are to turn toward You, not our circumstances. Every single time!

Choose LIFE! Not death.

(5:50 a.m.)

I confess to You most Blessed God. I have an overwhelming fear of risking. I want desperately to not make mistakes so I play very low stakes. Don’t rock the boat. Maintain the status quo.

I want the life YOU have for me Lord! The abundant one (John 10:10). The eternal one Jesus came into the world to provide (John 3:16).

Father, I have been so conditioned to ‘taking what I get and liking it’ that I very rarely venture out into the area of knowing what I want. Nor what that looks like.

I want to align my will with Yours. Glorify and enjoy You. Rejoice and be glad. Be a good steward. Be strong and of good courage. Be wise, not foolish (Proverbs 3:35). Maybe take an art class!

The Passion Translation tells me “As for us, we have all these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

Father! I LOVE playing “follow the arrow” and connect the dots. Teach me to stay on the path You have marked before me!

Thank You for reminding me right off the bat this morning that I could choose to complain or celebrate. One leads straight to the death of my spirit. The other? Right to Your gates and courts (Psalm 100:4).

I will enter them with thanksgiving and praise. Thank You Father. I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Do all You must that I follow YOU today! Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(565 words ~ 7:02 a.m.)